WWE News and Updates 2016: AJ Styles Defends WWE Title vs Ambrose and Cena at No Mercy; Early Predictions for Match Card
If the 2016 WWE Brand Split was a break-up, SmackDown Live undoubtedly moved on better so far. There is a lot to be said about the blue brand's dominance in the early months following the split.
One glaring factor is their impressive pay-per-view: Backlash 2016. It was SmackDown's first exclusive PPV since 2007 and they certainly did not disappoint. The biggest news was AJ Styles' victory over Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship, cementing himself as the brand's top guy while Ambrose gets to reset his character after an uneventful title run.
With that said, the pressure is on them to sustain or top their work at "No Mercy" this October. Here are the anticipated matches on the card so far, and who we anticipate can come out the winner.
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AJ Styles (Champion) vs Dean Ambrose vs John Cena
Since losing the belt to Styles at Backlash, Ambrose had rejuvenated his lunatic character, attacking Cena after their tag match vs. Styles and The Miz. This set up a match between him and Cena the following week, which Ambrose won cleanly over the veteran babyface.
Ambrose is having a good vengeful run, while Cena chases Ric Flair's 16-championship record. But AJ Styles had just gotten on top of everyone—leading ESPN's latest Power Rankings—and he deserves to keep the run going for a while.
Winner: AJ Styles
Heath Slater and Rhyno (Champions) vs The Usos
The Usos have successfully refreshed their careers with a classic heel turn, attacking Chad Gable after a loss prior to Backlash. They, however, ran into the red-hot Heath Slater and his partner, Rhyno.
Slater's run for a WWE contract captivated the fans, and WWE rewarded him and the crowd with the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Their first title defense will be against the Usos this October.
Two things can happen leading up to "No Mercy": Either Slater and Rhyno turn on each other, ending their run, or American Alpha tries to cost The Usos a championship berth as revenge for Gable's leg. But if good booking is to occur, the champions keep the belt.
Winner: Heath Slater and Rhyno
Becky Lynch vs Alexa Bliss
After playing third wheel behind Charlotte and Sasha Banks during the Divas Revolution, Lynch got the two out of the way and rose on her own at the blue brand. Her tumultuous journey finally won her the SmackDown Women's Championship in a six-pack challenge at Backlash.
Alexa Bliss, meanwhile, is impressing with her heel work thus far, and truly deserves a push. But Lynch, like Styles, Slater and Rhyno, are crowd favorites that the WWE Universe wants to see keeping the belts for enough time.
Winner: Becky Lynch
